Pakistan is playing intermediary in the Iran war, a role it has played before

NPR | By Betsy Joles,

Diantha Parker

Published April 2, 2026 at 4:41 AM EDT

Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary in the U.S-Israel war with Iran. It played this role before, during a high-stakes moment in diplomatic history.

NPR News

Betsy Joles

Diantha Parker

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

Iran continues strikes across the Persian Gulf despite Trump's warning

NPR Staff

Iran continued to target Gulf countries with ballistic missiles and drones Thursday as the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert warning of attacks by Iran-backed militias.
NPR News

Have Trump's tariffs worked? This is where things stand a year after 'Liberation Day'

Scott Horsley

It has been a year since President Trump announced double-digit tariffs on imports from around the world. So far, those levies have not produced the economic boom the president promised.
NPR News

Trump's VA killed a home loan program. Vets are now losing their homes because of it

Quil Lawrence, Chris Arnold

Foreclosures on VA loans are at their highest level in a decade. VA has a fix but it is months away and could still leave vets worse off than most other homeowners.
NPR News

In a thunderous launch, Artemis II astronauts leave Earth. Here's what's next

Brendan Byrne

NASA's Artemis II crew has successfully launched on a mission that will take it around the moon and back to Earth. Here's what to expect over their roughly 10-day journey.
Israel invades southern Lebanon to go after Iran-allied Hezbollah militants

Lauren Frayer

Israel has invaded Lebanon in pursuit of Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon. Israel has said it will push up to the Litani River.